Far-right Proud Boys found guilty of attempted gang assault in fight with Antifa members

Proud Boys members John Kinsman (l.) and Maxwell Hare were found guilty of attempted gang assault, riot and attempted assault after less than two days of deliberations in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Two members of far-right nationalist organization Proud Boys were convicted Monday of roughing up a group of rival leftists that confronted them on the Upper East Side last year.

Maxwell Hare and John Kinsman were found guilty of attempted gang assault, riot and attempted assault for an Oct. 12 brawl after less than two days of deliberations in Manhattan Supreme Court.

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Hare and Kinsman were among 10 Proud Boys who were charged in the scrap with four members of the anti-fascist group Antifa. With the verdict, all but one Proud Boy — who will be tried at a later date — have been convicted. All but three pleaded guilty.

Maxwell Hare is seen outside Manhattan Criminal Court after being convicted on numerous charges on Monday in New York. Hare and codefendant John Kinsman are to be sentenced in October. (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News)

Members of Antifa — who refused to cooperate with authorities — were protesting a Metropolitan Republican Club speaking event by Proud Boys founder and former leader Gavin McInnes the night of the street fight, which occurred on E. 82nd St. near Lexington Ave, a block away from the club, and was captured on surveillance and cell phone video.

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Prosecutors said the Proud Boys mercilessly pummeled members of the politically opposed protesters.

Lawyers for Hare and Kinsman pushed the idea they were acting in self-defense after the Antifa crew threatened them. At the trial, they insisted their club was about national pride and brotherhood, denying allegations that they are racist.

Kinsman, 39, whose wife is black, testified that they’re “a good bunch of drinking buddies that were right-wing.”

John Kinsman is pictured in Manhattan Criminal Court after being convicted on numerous charges on Monday. (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News)

Hare, 27, denied the Proud Boys were also about violence, bigotry and sexism.

“It’s just a group of blue-collar men that love America,” said Hare, who was confronted by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass with footage of Proud Boys engaging in other violent confrontations across the country.

Steinglass also brought out a photo of Hare holding an assault rifle in one hand and an Antifa flag with the logo crossed out.

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Proud Boys have been deemed a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, according to the Manhattan district attorney.

'Not-so-Proud Boy' John Kinsman is pictured with his face covered in Manhattan Criminal Court Monday, after being convicted on numerous charges. Kinsman and co-defendant Maxwell Hare are to be sentenced in October. (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News)

Hare and Kinsman declined to discuss the verdict as they left the courtroom.

“As violent extremism rises in America, a Manhattan jury has declared in one voice that New Yorkers will not tolerate mob violence in our own backyard,” DA Cy Vance Jr. said in a statement. “These defendants transformed a quiet, residential street into the site of a battle royal, kicking and beating four individuals in a brutal act of political violence.”

Justice Mark Dwyer allowed the defendants to remain free on bail pending their sentencing Oct. 11. They face up to 15 years on the top count.